Ozone & Our Lungs

Dichloroacetic Acid (DCA)

What is DCA?

Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) is a byproduct of the chlorine disinfection process (Uden & Miller, 1983) and produced in vivo during breakdown of trichloroethylene (TCE), a widely used industrial solvent (Stacpoole, 2011; Bull, 2000).
On one side DCA has shown potential in treating cancer metabolic disorders; on the other side, it can also be toxic and carcinogenic and can cause peripheral neuropathy.

DCA

TCE

DCA in the environment

DCA is so ubiquitous that some degree of chronic exposure is inevitable” (Stacpoole, 2011; Ammini & Stacpoole, 2003; IARC, 2004)

Drinking water:

9th most prevalent contaminant in U.S. water systems (EWG, 2009)

Almost 130 million Americans are serviced by 12,002 water systems across 37 states that have levels of DCA above health guidelines (EWG, 2009)

The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) classified DCA as possibly carcinogenic in humans, but has been proven carcinogen in experimental animals (IARC, 2004).

DCA inhibits its own breakdown, depending on an individual’s genetics and age. This delays the plasma clearance of DCA so in those people 'safe' levels of exposure could potentially accumulate to harmful levels with multiple exposures and(Stacpoole, 2011).

Studies have shown decreased viability and signs of oxidative stress in various types of cells exposed to DCA:

Due to its metabolic effects, DCA has also been studied in relation to exercise both in health people and in people suffering from diseases such as COPD:

Initially, DCA showed promise in enhancing performance (Ludvik, 1993); however, in a later study adverse effects on the respiratory system following DCA administration outweighed those results (Ciufo, 2001)